Residents on edge in the aftermath of Gardnerville murders
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 11:56am
On Monday morning, Sheriff Dan Coverely of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed residents’ worst fears: that the two homicides that occurred within four days and a mile apart were believed to be connected. Not only that, but they had no leads, no description of a suspect and no motive.
The first victim was 56-year-old Connie Koontz, who was found by her mother the morning after she was killed.
The second victim was 74-year-old Sophia Renken, who was found after friends called for a wellness check when she didn’t show up to their meeting.
Monday morning at the press conference, the Sheriff reported over a hundred calls had come in with tips from residents. By Monday afternoon, some residents appeared panicked.
A Gardnerville Ranchos woman called in reporting that when she had arrived home, she had seen what she believe to be a man in her garage, and fled to a neighbor’s house.
Every available unit was dispatched to the Ranchos to investigate, but nothing came of it. A half hour later, another call came in about a mile away reporting a large man with a white van was “knocking and pounding” at a caller’s door.
Patrol units combed up and down the streets of the Ranchos, and several Search and Rescue units could be seen parked on the side of 88 and 395.
People are naturally concerned. In an interview with KOLO 8 News, a resident speaks about the effect on the community:
"I live right between both of these incidents," says Allan McKerrihan, who lives in the Gardnerville Ranchos, where the crimes took place.
McKerrihan repeats what just about everyone else told us. Stuff like this just doesn't happen here. People don't lock their cars or homes. But there's been a shift since the murders.
"I was telling my dad, first time I actually loaded my hand gun. And stored it where I could actually get it. Slept with it under my pillow. You know it is not normal around here," says McKerrihan.
Many Douglas residents have had a relaxed approach to community and security. Doors are sometimes left unlocked, windows open, cars are set to run in the morning to warm up before driving to work. But while a killer is at large, residents are learning to lock up and stay vigilant.
Deputies are asking residents to keep their outside lights on during the hours of darkness, and to lock up all doors and windows and activate any security systems they may have.
But the community is also sticking together to support each other during this time. A candlelight vigil was held Monday night at Lampe Park in remembrance of the victims.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone who has any information that could lead to the capture of the killer is asked to call the hotline that has been set up for this case. The hotline is in operation 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. The phone number is 775-783-6030. Or email dcsotips@douglasnv.us
If residents feel unsafe, see or hear strange activity, or have someone unexpected knocking at their door, Sheriff Coverely urged them to call 911 at the press conference on Monday, as it is the easiest and fastest way to get a hold of a deputy.
This is an ongoing investigation and we will update as information becomes available.
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